Train Nut posted:Mike H Mottler posted:Another method for cleaning the metal wheels on O-gauge locos and train cars ...
Use the small metal brush accessory chucked into a hand-held DREMEL tool and lightly apply it to the wheels all around. This will remove the stubborn black gunk from the wheels without using messy chemicals and will produce a polished surface.
Definitely lightly. Wear eye protection. I was cleaning stubborn wheels once and too much pressure results in the metal bristles flying out and sticking in yor skin and clothes like tiny knives!
WARNING !!! Those Dremel-type mini wire wheels are real handy for cleaning certain items but I NEVER USE THEM INSIDE MY HOUSE because the tiny wires go flying everywhere as they wear with regular use. They can get stuck in your clothes and socks and carpet and later turn up as tiny splinters in your skin!
I use them outdoors and wear a work apron to keep the stray wires out of my clothes. WEAR EYE PROTECTION !!!
If wheels have build-up of thick gunk, I first soften it with a cleaning solvent then scrape the bulk of it off with a sharpened wooden stick, then use the wire wheels for final polishing (and get more mileage out of them).
I advocate regular use of home-made track cleaner cars to minimize the need to clean wheels.
